Declining Tang Jinxian's kind offer to send them off in her carriage, Jiang Mu and An Chenghu left the Patrol Yamen on foot.
The sun was already slanting westward, and the air was sweltering.
There were quite a few pedestrians coming and going on the street. On both sides, all manner of small stalls stood shoulder to shoulder, hawking cries unceasing.
Along the street, the vermilion towers of pleasure houses had already begun echoing with the sounds of string and bamboo instruments. Several young ladies in gauzy dresses, clutching round fans, had also begun soliciting customers, ready to act as living Bodhisattvas delivering scriptures.
When they saw the handsome yet masculine Jiang Mu, the hearts in their eyes nearly overflowed from beneath their skirts.
An Chenghu was a bit hungry. He bought two steaming roasted sweet potatoes from a roadside vendor, handing one to Jiang Mu. Leading his horse with one hand, he walked shoulder-to-shoulder with Jiang Mu along the bustling street.
The big goose waddled along behind the two. If it spotted unruly children, it would deliberately flap its wings to peck at them.
Only after scaring the kids into wailing would it return with its head held high.
A typical neighborhood bully.
"You shouldn't have shown off like that earlier."
An Chenghu took a bite of his sweet potato and suddenly spoke.
Jiang Mu blew on his, carefully biting through the fragrant, crispy skin. "Why?"
An Chenghu sighed, lowering his voice:
"Two months ago, Chief Tang was parachuted in from the capital. Though a mighty dragon, she finds it hard to suppress the local snakes.
Right now, her roots in Yancheng are still unsteady. She has few people around her that she can trust or use, so her situation is actually quite difficult. The wit you displayed today has caught her eye.
The Patrol Yamen specializes in spirit disaster cases, which are extraordinarily dangerous. I don't want you getting dragged into this. Even more, I don't want you becoming a pawn in the games of those above, one that can be discarded at any moment."
Jiang Mu smiled, unconcerned. "It doesn't matter."
After that experience of shared shame in the cave, it would be hard for him to shrink back like a turtle.
A woman like Tang Jinxian was inherently domineering.
Not killing him didn't mean she trusted him.
On the contrary, she was more likely to find ways to keep him within her line of sight, firmly riding him.
"But you, kid, you really surprised me today." An Chenghu changed the subject, scrutinizing him with curiosity. "Where did you learn all that reasoning from?"
Jiang Mu pointed at his own head:
"I used to run around everywhere with you, Uncle An, investigating cases. A lot of it seeped into my ears. Now that my mind is clearer, that stuff seems to surface on its own, and I can even think a few steps further."
An Chenghu didn't doubt him.
In the past, he indeed often kept this foolish nephew by his side, looking after him.
"There was once an itinerant daoist who said that after a fool gains enlightenment, they often become extremely clever. It seems there really is something mystical about that saying. You just bloomed late, kid."
Jiang Mu merely smiled, then asked, "Uncle An, how do you plan to investigate next?"
"Before investigating, I have to go to the county yamen first and report this matter to the County Magistrate."
An Chenghu finished his sweet potato in a few bites, clapped his hands, and said, "Even though Chief Tang has already made arrangements, the proper etiquette cannot be skipped. Bypassing one's immediate superior is a great taboo in officialdom."
Jiang Mu expressed his understanding.
Although Tang Jinxian's official rank was high, An Chenghu's immediate superior was after all Magistrate Yang. Giving him prior notice could avoid a lot of unnecessary trouble.
"Yancheng has a large population. Even with the scope narrowed, screening will still be like fishing a needle from the ocean."
An Chenghu pondered for a moment. "Tell me, is the murderer's mother still alive, or already dead?"
Jiang Mu carefully recalled the murderer he had seen that day and said:
"That fellow had an extremely heavy murderous aura. Even when he deliberately lowered his voice when speaking, one could still tell he was somewhat young. He occasionally acted on impulse in his conduct. I reckon his age won't exceed twenty."
"Under twenty..."
An Chenghu analyzed, "In that case, it's highly likely his mother is still alive. That narrows the scope considerably.
We only need to focus on investigating women from reasonably decent families, who are widows, with plump figures, and who habitually wear white clothes in daily life. We should find something.
Furthermore, he has someone from the Patrol Yamen as an accomplice, cleaning up after him. This shows that he, or his mother, has some connection to the Patrol Yamen as well."
Jiang Mu deeply agreed and added:
"Judging from the wounds on those women, they were basically all caused by the left-handed accomplice. This shows that from beginning to end, the mastermind only watched from the side, rarely participating."
An Chenghu rubbed his chin and asked, "Logically, the one who most wants to inflict abuse is that kid, yet he only watched from the side. Why do you think that is?"
After some thought, Jiang Mu voiced his inner speculation:
"Either that kid has a special fetish and enjoys watching others inflict abuse. Or, his nature is very aloof and fastidious, and he looks down on those women.
Although these women are the 'counterfeit goods' he sought, they ultimately cannot compare in nobility to the 'genuine article' in his heart."
An Chenghu cursed with a laugh and lightly kicked Jiang Mu's butt. "You stinking brat, now that your brain works, you keep dwelling on such dark things. The foolish Little Jiang from before looked much more pleasing."
Seeing Jiang Mu get kicked in the butt, the big goose honked with glee.
As a result, Jiang Mu kicked it flying with one foot.
"It's not that I'm psychologically dark; the facts are right before our eyes."
Jiang Mu looked very innocent.
"Alright, all of this will come to light naturally once we catch the person."
An Chenghu handed the reins to Jiang Mu. "I'm going to the county yamen to report to the County Magistrate first. You head straight home.
Oh right, tell your aunt that when she cooks tonight, stop by the Mei Family Shop to fetch some good wine. We uncle and nephew will have a few drinks tonight. I happen to have something to discuss with you."
"Discuss what?"
"We'll talk tonight."
An Chenghu waved his hand, turned, and walked in the direction of the county yamen.
...
After arriving home, Jiang Mu led the horse into the stable. Taking the opportunity, he also force-fed the big white goose some fodder.
Just as he was preparing to look for his aunt, a shout suddenly rang out.
"Wood!"
Jiang Mu turned his head and saw a large, round head poking over the low wall next door, waving at him. "Wood, we have a child! Come quick and look!"
"Can't you keep your voice down?"
Jiang Mu looked helplessly at this fellow named "Shi Baolu."
He was Mu Jiang's best friend.
He lived right next door.
The fact that he could become a best friend to a fool showed that this person was naturally endowed with extraordinary gifts.
Moreover, this kid had once been jilted.
As everyone knew, being jilted came with its own mysterious buff.
Once upon a time, he had been a fair and handsome young man just like Mu Jiang.
But after being jilted, the unremarkable him had awakened the foodie buff. His appetite exploded from one bowl of rice per meal to eight, and he rapidly expanded horizontally, becoming a round ball.
Successfully promoting himself to the archetypal fat best friend of early web novels.
Boundless prospects lay ahead.
But most importantly, this guy had two older sisters and one younger sister. The two older sisters were gorgeous.
In their youth, they often played together.
Mu Jiang had liked playing with Shi Baolu's second older sister, Shi Xueting, the most.
Whenever there was something good to eat or fun to play with, he would share it with her as soon as possible.
In short, he was a little simp.
Once when the two were playing in the street, Shi Xueting was nearly hit by an out-of-control carriage. It was Mu Jiang who pushed her away, ending up severely injured himself, nearly dying.
During that time, little Shi Xueting stayed by his sickbed the whole time, even crying and saying she would become Mu Jiang's wife in the future.
However, time eventually dilutes everything.
As they grew older, the foolish Mu Jiang was gradually shunned by his playmates.
Shi Xueting also deliberately grew distant.
Only the equally simple-minded Shi Baolu and the newly eight-year-old Shi Shuanghui remained mixed up with Mu Jiang.
"Wood, come look!"
Shi Baolu waved his hand, his other hand carefully cupped over his chest.
Jiang Mu walked over.
He saw that the other was holding a small chick in his arms.
"Hehe, what do you think? This is our first child."
Shi Baolu was immensely proud.
Jiang Mu was speechless.
From Mu Jiang's hazy memories, he recalled that some time ago, after seeing an old hen lay a nest of chicks, the two had a sudden whim and stolen some eggs, taking turns sitting on the straw nest to incubate them.
It could only be said that there was a reason the two could become best friends.
"Wood, give our child a name."
Shi Baolu licked his lips.
Jiang Mu thought for a moment and said, "Let's call him A'Kun."
A stale meme is still a meme.
Little Black fans are forever Little Black fans.
"A'Kun?"
Shi Baolu blanked for a moment, frowning. "This name doesn't sound nice. Ah well, whatever you say goes.
Oh right, my second sister was accepted by the Divine Phoenix Island. And some Elder Zhao personally accepted her as a disciple. She's amazing. She's leaving in a few days."
"Oh, congratulations then."
In his memories, Shi Xueting seemed to have considerable cultivation talent.
It was no surprise that she was valued.
However, Jiang Mu still hadn't figured out the martial path of this world.
Apart from spirit artifacts similar to magical treasures, he hadn't seen any sword-riding flight at all. He estimated it wasn't very high-level.
Moreover, he couldn't sense the fluctuations of spiritual energy.
"Also, my older sister said—yikes! My second sister is back, I'm getting out of here. If she finds out I came out to play instead of supervising my younger sister's studies, she'll definitely lecture me."
Shi Baolu turned and ran off in a flash.
Jiang Mu turned to look. A luxurious carriage was parked outside their courtyard.
A young girl in pink clothes jumped down from the carriage.
She was tall and slender, with a beautiful and graceful temperament.
It was Shi Xueting.
After her, a handsome young man in luxurious clothes and a young girl in a yellow dress also descended.
The three were chatting and laughing.
Jiang Mu glanced over, but hearing his aunt calling for help in the kitchen, he turned to leave.
He had only taken a few steps when his head suddenly swam, and he faintly heard the sound of bells by his ear.
The bell sounds came intermittently, as though summoning him.
"Little Jiang!"
His aunt's voice from the kitchen grew louder.
The bell sounds suddenly vanished.
Everything returned to normal.
Jiang Mu, who had regained his senses, frowned. He looked around in confusion, muttered something, and entered the kitchen.
...
Next door, in front of Shi Baolu's house.
The girl in the yellow dress clutched a small brass bell tightly, her pretty face slightly pale.
"Senior Sister Jiang, what's wrong?"
Shi Xueting asked with concern.
Feeling the spirit artifact in her hand fall silent, the girl in the yellow dress secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She shook her head and forced a smile. "It's nothing. I may just be a bit tired from cultivation these past few days."
"Senior Sister, the thing in your hand is a spirit object, right?"
The handsome young man asked curiously.
"Yes, it's a spirit object that has been refined, also called a spirit artifact."
The girl in the yellow dress nodded her head and said with a smile,
"Once you enter the Divine Phoenix Island and cultivate seriously, you'll also have the chance to become a Spirit Master like me. Once you become a Spirit Master, you can fuse with and control spirit artifacts like this one."
Shi Xueting didn't understand. "But I heard that the Patrol Yamen takes spirit objects into custody, afraid they'll cause disasters."
The girl in the yellow dress explained with a smile:
"Spirit objects can indeed cause disasters, but if one successfully controls and fuses with them, they can instead suppress the occurrence of spirit disasters.
After all, some spirit objects cannot be taken into custody by ordinary people alone. They need Spirit Masters like us to help. There are Spirit Masters within the Patrol Yamen as well.
This is also why the imperial court has vigorously promoted cultivation in recent years. They hope to find more cultivators who can become Spirit Masters, in order to suppress even greater spirit disasters."
The two of them half-understood.
The girl in the yellow dress didn't explain further. She hung the bell back at her waist, but her delicate brows knit slightly.
"Strange, why did my spirit artifact suddenly lose control just now?"
"It seemed... to want to find its master?"
The girl in the yellow dress immediately found this absurd thought of hers laughable, thinking to herself:
"I am its master. What else is it looking for? It's probably due to excessive use earlier. Master said that overusing a spirit object in a short period of time carries the risk of losing control."